From tearjerking melodrama to action-packed period drama, Korean TV series have certainly captured the hearts of many fans across the world.
In this case, TV shows often give plentiful of time for viewers to grow with the characters as the plot of the story thickens. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Viu and iQiyi (just to name a few) also plays an important part, where it’s easier for everyone to access the latest episode of the series.
These are some of the many reasons on why a lot of us are still very much invested in Korean drama series. This time, we are shinning the spotlight on 15 upcoming K-dramas that are scheduled to release in early 2021. Keep in mind that the list is not arranged according to the drama’s official release dates.
1. Sunbae, Don’t Put On That Lipstick (선배, 그 립스틱 바르지 마요)
- Release date: 11th January 2021
- Cast: Won Jin Ah, SF9’s Ro Woon
- Plot: “Based on a popular 2017 web novel of the same name. It tells the love story between a lovely ‘sunbae’ (someone who is more senior at school, at work, or in an industry) and a bold ‘hoobae’ (junior) who has it all: good looks, cuteness, sexiness, and a serious aura.”
2. Sisyphus: The Myth
- Release date: February 2021
- Cast: Park Shin Hye, Jo Seung Woo
- Plot: The sci-fi fantasy series revolves around a genius scientist who hides his identity from the world and a “saviour” who walks down a long and dangerous path for him.
3. Monster / Freak (괴물)
- Release date: 5th February 2021
- Cast: Shin Ha Kyun, Yeo Jin Goo
- Plot: “Lee Dong-Sik (Shin Ha Kyun) was once a capable detective. He now works at the Manyang Police Substation in a small city and does all the tedious chores at the station. He lives a quite life in the city. One day, Detective Han Joo-Won (Yeo Jin Goo) is transferred to the same police substation. He is assigned to work as Lee Dong Sik’s boss and also his partner. Han Joo-Won is an elite detective and comes from a very respected family. His father has a good chance in becoming the next chief at the National Police Agency. Despite his distinguished background, Han Joo Won also bears a top secret.”
4. Monthly House
- Release date: TBA
- Cast: Kim Ji Seok, Jung So Min
- Plot: “Monthly House” is a home-searching romance series about a man who buys houses and a woman who lives in one. It follows the diverse stories of the editors of a home magazine.
5. Undercover
- Release date: June 2021
- Cast: Ji Jin Hee, Kim Hyun Joo
- Plot: Han Jung Hyun is a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent who is on a secret mission with the company. Meanwhile, Choi Yeon Soo (Kim Hyun Joo) works as a civil rights lawyer
6. Fly High, Butterfly
- Release date: June 2021
- Cast: Kim Hyang Gi, Choi Daniel, and Oh Yoon Ah
- Plot: “The slice-of-life series aims to illustrate the importance of self-care and self-love as they focus on people with love and those starting to make efforts to love themselves.”
7. Snowdrop
- Release date: May 2021
- Cast: BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, Jung Hae In,Kim Hye Yoon, Yoon Se Ah, Jang Seung Jo, and Jung Yoo Jin
- Plot: “Set in Seoul in 1987, the drama tells the love story of Im Soo Ho, a student at a prestigious university who suddenly rushes into a female dorm covered in blood one day, and Eun Young Cho, the cheerful and lovable student who hides him and takes care of his wounds even while facing danger under close surveillance.”
8. A Person Similar To You (너를 닮은 사람)
- Release date: Early 2021
- Cast: Go Hyun Jung, Shin Hyun Bin,Kim Jae Young, Choi Won Young
- Plot: It tells the story of Hee Joo (Go Hyun Jung) who has tried to put her less fortunate days behind after she managed to gain success as a painter. With a stable career, marriage, and family, Hee Joo is living a seemingly comfortable life. However, things take a major turn when she encounters a woman who lives a similar life to her past.
9. Dear M (디어엠)
- Release date: Early 2021
- Cast: Park Hye Soo, NCT’S Jaehyun, Roh Jeong Eui, Bae Hyun Sung
- Plot: “A group of students from Seoyeon University embark on a journey to search for an individual known as ‘M’, who wrote a post on the university’s community board. The post has in turn caused jeopardy in the university.”
10. Deluxe Taxi (모범택시)
- Release date: Early 2021
- Cast: Lee Je Hoon, Esom, Kim Eui Sung, April’s Lee Na Eun
- Plot: Based on the comic titled “Mobeomteksi”, written by Carlos and illustrated by Lee Jae-Jin which was published on Naver Comic.
11. Navillera / Like A Butterfly (나빌레라)
- Release date: TBA
- Cast: Park In Hwan, Song Kang, Na Moon Hee, Hong Seung Hee
- Plot: Based on a webtoon of the same title, the story is about Duk Cheol, an elderly man who starts learning ballet at the age of 70, and 23-year-old ballerino Chae Rok who is struggling in chasing his dreams. To quote My Drama List, “The drama will tell a story of growth about people who pursue their dreams because life only comes around once.”
12. Oh! Master (오! 주인님)
- Release date: March 2021
- Cast: Lee Min Ki, After School’s Nana, CNBLUE’s Kang Min Hyuk
- Plot: The romantic comedy series is about an unlikely romance between a screenwriter for thriller dramas and an actress who appears mostly in rom-coms. While the writer chooses not to date, the actress cannot seem to date. The story unravels as they find themselves living under one roof.
13. Joseon Exorcist (조선구마사)
- Release date: March 2021
- Cast: Jang Dong Yoon, Park Sung Hoon, Kam Woo Sung
- Plot: As the title suggests, the fantasy-action historical drama is set following the establishment of the Joseon dynasty and tells the story of the undead who returns to life after being murdered by the royal family.
14. Hong Chun Gi (홍천기)
- Release date: First half of 2021
- Starring: Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Yoo Jung, Kwak Si Yang
- Plot: “Hong Chun Gi” is a fantasy romance drama set in the Joseon period. Kim Yoo Jung will be taking on the role of the titular character, Joseon’s only female painter known for her breathtaking beauty and positive energy. Not only that, she also possesses an extraordinary memory.
15. Frightening Cohabitation (간 떨어지는 동거)
- Release date: Early 2021
- Starring: Girl’s Day’s Hyeri, Jang Ki Yong, Kang Han Na, Bae In Hyuk, Kim Do Wan
- Plot: “The drama is about a female college student named Lee Dam who accidentally swallows the marble of a male gumiho (Korean myth creature nine-tailed fox) named Shin Woo Yeo, who was close to achieving his goal of becoming human. Legend has it that when a human swallows the marble, they can only live for one year, and the marble will break, preventing the creature from becoming human. Thus, Shin Woo Yeo suggests living together with Lee Dam, sparking their unexpected romance.”
Sources: Jazmine Media, Jayne Stars.
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